99917 - Hebrew 1 (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students possess the linguistic tools necessary to understand written sources in the Hebrew language; they acquire a first level of competence in Hebrew and they are able to update and deepen their knowledge and develop independent analytical perspectives on the basis of the most recent scholarly debate and relevant bibliography.

Course contents

The course begins on Monday 22nd September 2025 and is structured in three modules.

In the first two weeks an outline of classical Hebrew grammar will be offered, by focusing on the consonantal system. More precisely, the following subjects are carried out: the alphabet (which students should learn before the course starts), the begadkepat consonants, the matres lectionis, the article, gender and number of nouns and adjectives, the state of the nouns (absolute, determined, construct), the construct chain, pronouns, pronominal suffixes, perfect and imperfect tense, the formation of verbal themes (qal, niphal, piel, pual, hiphil, hophal, hitpael).

The second module focuses on the vowel system. Grammar is further explored through the translation of biblical texts, with special attention to prepositions and irregular verbs, such a tertiae he, primae nun, and mediae vocalis.

In the last week of the course, the third module investigates the essential features of Torah literature.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students will receive a Hebrew handbook edited by the lecturer (in course of publication). Otherwise, the use of this book is recommended: T.O. Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1971.
For the study of the Torah, students should either read J.J. Collins, A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress, Minneapolis 2018, 45-119 or P. Merlo (ed.), L'Antico Testamento. Introduzione storico-letteraria, Carrocci, Roma 2018, ch. 6 (by F. Giuntoli).

Teaching methods

The course involves the constant involvement of students, who are asked to keep up with the course teaching and regularly do the assigned exercises. In the first and second module of the course, each lesson includes the presentation of some elements of grammar, the correction of exercises, and the translation of some Hebrew sentences.
In the third module, the most famous narrative and theological junctures of the Torah are introduced through commentary on selected pericopes.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

The exam is oral. Attending students will be asked to produce 1) the translation of seven verses of the biblical texts read during the course, 2) the analysis of five grammatical forms present in the verses under examination, 3) the comment of a passage of the Torah, to be illustrated on the basis of what was highlighted during the course and/or in the handbook indicated in the bibliography.

Non attending students are required to study units 1-28 in T.O. Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1971. During the exam they will be asked to produce 1) the translation of ten lines of the biblical texts offered in the exercises of Lambdin's Introduction, in units 17-19, 21, 23-25, and 27-28; 2) the analysis of five grammatical forms present in the verses under examination; 3) the comment of a passage of the Torah on the basis of what is highlighted in the handbook indicated in the bibliography above.

The exam candidates will receive a note falling into one of four assessment ranges: 1) excellent (28-30 cum laude), 2) good (24-27), 3) sufficient (18-23), 4) insufficient (fail). This will assess their ability to provide an accurate translation and analysis of the texts under examination, articulate their knowledge using the correct terminology, and demonstrate an overall competent understanding of the subject by locating a specific issue.

Teaching tools

Handouts will be given to students, meant to support the translation of biblical texts. Some powerpoint slides will facilitate the study of the biblical literature.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities should please contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Settembrini